The NFC North-leading Packers (6-1) visit the undefeated Arizona Cardinals (7-0) later tonight in a battle of NFC heavyweights. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a sequel in about three months. If Green Bay is to come out on top in the desert, here are the five keys to victory:
1) GET 33 MORE INVOLVED
Aaron Jones touched the ball only 11 times last week. That number needs to at least double tonight, especially with Davante Adams unavailable due to COVID-19. There aren’t many running backs more adept at catching passes down the field, and yet Jones has only 26 receptions in seven games. He’s a match-up nightmare for any non-corner, and the time is now for Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers to take full advantage of their unique weapon.
2) SLOW DOWN THE RUSH
After struggling in the first half of last week’s game against Washington, the offensive line will face another big challenge tonight. Ends Chandler Jones and Markus Golden, who have combined for 11 sacks, are quality edge rushers who must be controlled if Rodgers is to take advantage of Arizona’s pedestrian cornerbacks. The return of left tackle David Bakhtiari would certainly help. The perennial All-Pro made the trip to Arizona, and there’s at least a chance he could be activated off the PUP list. Bakhtiari hasn’t played since injuring his knee on New Year’s Eve.
3) KEEP MURRAY CONTAINED
Quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Jared Goff, and Taylor Heinicke have run for 178 yards against Green Bay, and none of the three are close to as athletic as Kyler Murray. If the pass rushers don’t stay in their lanes, the front-runner for MVP could scramble for 100 yards by halftime. The defensive coaches need to come up with a plan to keep Murray in the pocket, and the players need to execute it. That’s easier said than done when the QB runs in the 4.3s.
4) COMMUNICATE ON DEFENSE
The Packers haven’t made many mistakes on defense in recent weeks, but tonight they’ll be without coordinator Joe Barry, who’s also dealing with COVID-19. Secondary coach Jerry Gray will call plays – something he hasn’t done since 2013. The Cardinals love to spread the field and play fast, so the makeshift defensive staff will have to be ready to react. Against Murray, any miscommunication can result in a 70-yard touchdown in the blink of an eye.
5) TAKE SOME CHANCES
The Packers under LaFleur haven’t used much trickeration, and they haven’t had to because they’re usually more talented than the opposition. That won’t be the case tonight, so why not throw a little caution to the wind? Run a double reverse or a flea-flicker. Let wide receiver Randall Cobb – a QB at Kentucky – attempt a pass. Fake a punt. Maybe even try an onside kick. With so many key players out, this would be the perfect time to spring a surprise or two.
PREDICTION: I woke up on Monday morning feeling reasonably confident that the Packers could upset the Cardinals, but after finding out that Adams and Barry wouldn’t be available, I went to bed feeling a lot less optimistic. And while any team with Rodgers at quarterback should never be counted out, it’ll take a Herculean effort to leave the desert with a win. The red-hot Cards are much healthier, and maybe more importantly, they didn’t have to fly across the country on a short week (thanks again, NFL).
The line jumped from 4.5 to 6 after the Adams news broke, and that still seems a bit low. The Cardinals are due to lose a game, but I just don’t see it happening tonight. ARIZONA 33-24 (Season record: 4-3 straight-up; 1-5-1 vs. the spread)
A big thanks to those of you who have already made a donation. If you haven’t contributed yet, please click the button below to keep enjoying this type of Packers’ content throughout the 2021 season. ⬇️
[yop_poll id=”27″]
BUY THE 2021 YEARBOOK!
